Road ~ Ride Holiday 2017
Diary – Part 8
Diary – Part 8
Thursday October 26
Travel to Barcelona
No sunrise with the beautiful colours today, morning cloud cover blocking the view, the weather starting to change so time to move on.
Breakfast was organised for 9.00am, we could take our time as Ivan wasn't due until 11.30am. In the end he didn't arrive until almost 12 noon but made up for lost time with some 'quick driving', quite interesting to drive with a Spaniard whilst he is talking to you with both hands driving at 140kph, to Barcelona.
He managed to get us past a police road block. The Catalonians are protesting about not being able to vote to be independent - it has been a continuing story through all the small villages we have been through. A very passionate people, lots of Catalonian flags and 'Si' signs everywhere. We were at our accommodation by 1.30pm waiting on one side whilst our check in agent, was waiting on the other side, she had been given the wrong address.
She quickly realised who we were and came across. After she gave us a map, some ideas on what to see and the essential information about using various household items we left to give Paul & Beth and John & Geri an orientation guide and a walk down La Rambla. It was good to reacquaint ourselves with some of the things we remembered from our last visit. The Placa Reial was still the same and the streets in the Gothic Quarter still tightly winding, narrow and dimly lit.
We wandered down into the harbour area, watching the African hawkers trying to evade the police. On the way back we visited the Güell Palace, we hadn't seen last time. It is another Antoni Gaudi building.
Geri made a lovely salad and pork meal for dinner. It was nice to just have the one course and to have a sensible portion. Before bed everyone looked at what could be achieved tomorrow in regard to sightseeing. Paul & Beth and John & Geri were looking at the Hop On, Hop Off bus to get a better sense of what they might want to see and Paula & Ken bought tickets to visit Parc Güell and the Sagrada Familia.
Friday October 27
Barcelona - Day 1
Alarms had been set for 7.00am - wanted to make the most of the day.
Paula and Ken were away just after 7.30am walked to Parc Guell, having breakfast on the way. Ticket to Parc Güell was for 9.00am.
In the park no more than 5 minutes and had a phone call from Paul. Ken had locked the door on the way out and they couldn’t unlock it from the inside!
Weird locking system for the door and an even weirder electrical system. The whole system shuts down when the door is open and can only to be reactivated when the door is closed and the reactivation switch turned on. No good leaving anything on to recharge or wash (clothes or dishwasher) when you go out as there is no power. Ken hopped a taxi and had the door unlocked by 9.15am - then back in the cab returning to Parc Güell just after 9.30am. Because the Parc Güell tickets are time designated he couldn’t get back in. Waited for Paula to finish looking in the monument part then walked around the outside together taking photos.
From here we walked to Sagrada Familia, arriving just after 11.30am, time for a coffee and a few outside photos before our entry time came around. We could see that some additions had been made to the towers and parts of the facade on the passion side.
The inside of Sagrada Familia is just as spectacular on the second visit with the stain glass windows, columns, crypts, chapels and the museum all adding to our understanding of Antoni Gaudí's design.
We spent almost an hour and a half at Sagrada Familia before leaving and heading towards La Rambla for a bit to eat and some souvenir shopping.
A few distractions on the way down. We detoured to the Arc de Triomf, which had a Cataluña Wine festival and the Catalonia independence protest rally. We joined the protest, just because we hadn't been in a protest before, listened to the passionate Spanish shouting encouragement for their leaders and abuse of the elected leaders of Spain. It was fun. From here we found a pastisseria, a caramel donut for Ken and a baby baguette for Paula. We 'misplaced' ourselves after this for about 10 minutes, managing to find some of the narrower streets of the Gothic Quarter and another Interestingly designed building.
Back on course we made La Rambla, with Ken sitting while Paula tried to find souvenirs for the grand children, her only success was a fan for Zoe. They where back at the unit after Paul and Beth. Geri and John arrived not long after. Both couples had been on the green bus tour today with a few Hop on Hop off opportunities taken. Tomorrow they do the red route.
Saturday October 28
Barcelona - Day 2
A little bit later leaving today. We stayed for breakfast and organised the keys.
Our plan today was to visit the old hospital, go inside Casa Batlló, find a Barcelona bike shirt and then see what time was left in the afternoon.
The walk to Hospital de la Santa Crüe i Sant Pau was easy, we are starting to get our bearings really well and hardly need Google Maps. This was a spectacular building and up until 2009 was still operational. The building and surrounds are what all hospitals should be like. The functionality of using tunnels to connect buildings was great, the tunnels went for kilometres.
We spent a good hour looking around. From here it was back past Sagrada Familia to get to Casa Batlló. Ken had a Costa Coffee just near the church and booked the online ticket to Casa Batlló for Paula whilst drinking the coffee.
The ticket was for 1.00pm so we made our way to the Gaudí building arriving early. Paula was able to get in then so Ken went back to unit for a rest and to put a bandage on his toe.
When Paula got back they then headed to Tomas Domingo bicycles to look at Barcelona or Catalunya bicycle tops. Unfortunately didn’t find any that suited.
We found lunch, a chicken and salad baguette shared then walked to the information centre to find out how to get to the church at Tibidabo.
A bus going directly to Tibidabo leaves from Placa de Catalunya every 20 minutes.
We found the spot, paid the €3 each then waited about 5 minutes before the bus left. The bus ride gives you an outstanding view of the whole of Barcelona but unfortunately at the top the theme park seems to block most of the good spots to take photos. We wandered through the church on the top of the hill, 'Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor', the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, before catching the bus back to Placa de Catalunya and then walking back to the unit for dinner.
John & Geri didn't get back from the red bus tour until after 7.30pm so it was decided dinner would be eat out.
Paula, Geri & John walked to the Gaudí houses, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà to see them with the lights on. Ken was still foot sore so he went back with Paul & Beth and the grocers to add another bandage to a second blister on his right foot. Retreaded he will be ready for another 20 kms or so tomorrow.
Sunday October 29
Barcelona - Day 3
Today we rounded out our Barcelona section of the holiday by walking to some of the different sections we hadn't visited this time or last time. This had us wandering different parts of the Gothic Quarter and the marina.
The first thing we did after breakfast was to finalise our online checkin details and to get the boarding passes printed. John had had trouble last night with the Singapore Airline site so they used Ken's iPad and the Singapore Airline app to scan the passports and finish the checkin process. This done we then generated the 12 files and had them e-mailed to John and Ken.
Next was to find an Internet cafe and have them printed.
One was open at 9.00am and not too far to walk. John, Paul, Beth, Paula and Ken went with Paula and Ken then heading to mass after the files were printed.
John couldn’t get the e-mail files in a sensible order so Ken proceeded to use his e-mail and printed the 12 PDF documents. Took about 20 minutes to finish and cost €8.50. If we hadn't had them printed it was going to be a hassle to get them done at the airport.
Mass at the Barcelona Cathedral was amazing, the whole liturgy was sung, we had five priests, 3 acolytes, 6 altar boys, a magnificent choir and a pipe organ.
We also received communion at the main altar distributed by the celebrating priest.
The mass lasted exactly an hour and we were treated to a Spanish town band and local citizens dancing at the foot of the cathedral steps as we left. The music and dancing was very much Spanish traditional dancing with groups just forming a circle as they started to participate. Any bags from those dancing were put in the middle to keep safe.
From here it was back to the unit to put the boarding passes into safe keeping and to recharge the phones.
Out again we headed to the Mercat markets in La Rambla (Paula wanted some more photos of the wonderful colours but it was closed for Sunday.
Lots of the streets were crowded with protesters supporting the continuation of Catalunya in Spain. Lots of Spanish flags and 'España' being exclaimed very loudly and often. There was also a heavy police presence. It seems the pro Catalunya independence group protest on Saturday and the pro continued unification of Spain group protest on Sunday. At present it is loud, added to by the helicopters flying overhead and police sirens but very civil and peaceful.
Hopefully it is resolved soon but it has added another dimension for us to the excitement and uniqueness of Barcelona.
Once we found the Mercat closed we continued down La Rambla to the marina then along the boardwalk getting a Costa coffee and chocolate croissant along the way. Our wandering then had us along the beach front with a number of great 'sand castles' in production. Lots of people on the beach sand, it was a warm sunny day, but not many actually 'braving' the water.
Not too many topless bathers either.
We continued around past the golden fish sculpture then back towards the Gothic Quarter and a look at Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar.
Here we stopped and shared our last authentic baguette.
Our wandering had us turning what ever corner took our fancy through the bottom part of the Gothic Quarter near 'Bone'. Paula finally decided on the souvenirs she wanted for the grand children and these were purchased. We again met the protesters and detoured around them and back to La Rambla and of all places coming out in Placa Reial.
Up La Rambla we had our last ice cream and checked on the Aerobus process and cost to make our organisation for tomorrow as easy as possible.
Price is €5.90 each and they would prefer the exact amount. Buses to T1 leave every 5 minutes after 6.50am and it is a 35 minute trip.
So if we leave the unit at 7.30am aiming to be on the Aerobus close to 8.00am we will be at T1 with 15 minutes to spare before the Singapore Airline checkin counter opens at 9.00am - 3 hours before our flight is due to leave.
Dinner was organised for an earlier time than the normal 8.00pm or later Spanish time as all of us wanted an early night to pack and be organised to be up around 6.30pm ready to leave the unit by 7.30am. The El Mercat, a restaurant just on the corner opposite our location, was selected and 7.30pm decided as the time to leave.
Travel to Barcelona
No sunrise with the beautiful colours today, morning cloud cover blocking the view, the weather starting to change so time to move on.
Breakfast was organised for 9.00am, we could take our time as Ivan wasn't due until 11.30am. In the end he didn't arrive until almost 12 noon but made up for lost time with some 'quick driving', quite interesting to drive with a Spaniard whilst he is talking to you with both hands driving at 140kph, to Barcelona.
He managed to get us past a police road block. The Catalonians are protesting about not being able to vote to be independent - it has been a continuing story through all the small villages we have been through. A very passionate people, lots of Catalonian flags and 'Si' signs everywhere. We were at our accommodation by 1.30pm waiting on one side whilst our check in agent, was waiting on the other side, she had been given the wrong address.
She quickly realised who we were and came across. After she gave us a map, some ideas on what to see and the essential information about using various household items we left to give Paul & Beth and John & Geri an orientation guide and a walk down La Rambla. It was good to reacquaint ourselves with some of the things we remembered from our last visit. The Placa Reial was still the same and the streets in the Gothic Quarter still tightly winding, narrow and dimly lit.
We wandered down into the harbour area, watching the African hawkers trying to evade the police. On the way back we visited the Güell Palace, we hadn't seen last time. It is another Antoni Gaudi building.
Geri made a lovely salad and pork meal for dinner. It was nice to just have the one course and to have a sensible portion. Before bed everyone looked at what could be achieved tomorrow in regard to sightseeing. Paul & Beth and John & Geri were looking at the Hop On, Hop Off bus to get a better sense of what they might want to see and Paula & Ken bought tickets to visit Parc Güell and the Sagrada Familia.
Friday October 27
Barcelona - Day 1
Alarms had been set for 7.00am - wanted to make the most of the day.
Paula and Ken were away just after 7.30am walked to Parc Guell, having breakfast on the way. Ticket to Parc Güell was for 9.00am.
In the park no more than 5 minutes and had a phone call from Paul. Ken had locked the door on the way out and they couldn’t unlock it from the inside!
Weird locking system for the door and an even weirder electrical system. The whole system shuts down when the door is open and can only to be reactivated when the door is closed and the reactivation switch turned on. No good leaving anything on to recharge or wash (clothes or dishwasher) when you go out as there is no power. Ken hopped a taxi and had the door unlocked by 9.15am - then back in the cab returning to Parc Güell just after 9.30am. Because the Parc Güell tickets are time designated he couldn’t get back in. Waited for Paula to finish looking in the monument part then walked around the outside together taking photos.
From here we walked to Sagrada Familia, arriving just after 11.30am, time for a coffee and a few outside photos before our entry time came around. We could see that some additions had been made to the towers and parts of the facade on the passion side.
The inside of Sagrada Familia is just as spectacular on the second visit with the stain glass windows, columns, crypts, chapels and the museum all adding to our understanding of Antoni Gaudí's design.
We spent almost an hour and a half at Sagrada Familia before leaving and heading towards La Rambla for a bit to eat and some souvenir shopping.
A few distractions on the way down. We detoured to the Arc de Triomf, which had a Cataluña Wine festival and the Catalonia independence protest rally. We joined the protest, just because we hadn't been in a protest before, listened to the passionate Spanish shouting encouragement for their leaders and abuse of the elected leaders of Spain. It was fun. From here we found a pastisseria, a caramel donut for Ken and a baby baguette for Paula. We 'misplaced' ourselves after this for about 10 minutes, managing to find some of the narrower streets of the Gothic Quarter and another Interestingly designed building.
Back on course we made La Rambla, with Ken sitting while Paula tried to find souvenirs for the grand children, her only success was a fan for Zoe. They where back at the unit after Paul and Beth. Geri and John arrived not long after. Both couples had been on the green bus tour today with a few Hop on Hop off opportunities taken. Tomorrow they do the red route.
Saturday October 28
Barcelona - Day 2
A little bit later leaving today. We stayed for breakfast and organised the keys.
Our plan today was to visit the old hospital, go inside Casa Batlló, find a Barcelona bike shirt and then see what time was left in the afternoon.
The walk to Hospital de la Santa Crüe i Sant Pau was easy, we are starting to get our bearings really well and hardly need Google Maps. This was a spectacular building and up until 2009 was still operational. The building and surrounds are what all hospitals should be like. The functionality of using tunnels to connect buildings was great, the tunnels went for kilometres.
We spent a good hour looking around. From here it was back past Sagrada Familia to get to Casa Batlló. Ken had a Costa Coffee just near the church and booked the online ticket to Casa Batlló for Paula whilst drinking the coffee.
The ticket was for 1.00pm so we made our way to the Gaudí building arriving early. Paula was able to get in then so Ken went back to unit for a rest and to put a bandage on his toe.
When Paula got back they then headed to Tomas Domingo bicycles to look at Barcelona or Catalunya bicycle tops. Unfortunately didn’t find any that suited.
We found lunch, a chicken and salad baguette shared then walked to the information centre to find out how to get to the church at Tibidabo.
A bus going directly to Tibidabo leaves from Placa de Catalunya every 20 minutes.
We found the spot, paid the €3 each then waited about 5 minutes before the bus left. The bus ride gives you an outstanding view of the whole of Barcelona but unfortunately at the top the theme park seems to block most of the good spots to take photos. We wandered through the church on the top of the hill, 'Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor', the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, before catching the bus back to Placa de Catalunya and then walking back to the unit for dinner.
John & Geri didn't get back from the red bus tour until after 7.30pm so it was decided dinner would be eat out.
Paula, Geri & John walked to the Gaudí houses, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà to see them with the lights on. Ken was still foot sore so he went back with Paul & Beth and the grocers to add another bandage to a second blister on his right foot. Retreaded he will be ready for another 20 kms or so tomorrow.
Sunday October 29
Barcelona - Day 3
Today we rounded out our Barcelona section of the holiday by walking to some of the different sections we hadn't visited this time or last time. This had us wandering different parts of the Gothic Quarter and the marina.
The first thing we did after breakfast was to finalise our online checkin details and to get the boarding passes printed. John had had trouble last night with the Singapore Airline site so they used Ken's iPad and the Singapore Airline app to scan the passports and finish the checkin process. This done we then generated the 12 files and had them e-mailed to John and Ken.
Next was to find an Internet cafe and have them printed.
One was open at 9.00am and not too far to walk. John, Paul, Beth, Paula and Ken went with Paula and Ken then heading to mass after the files were printed.
John couldn’t get the e-mail files in a sensible order so Ken proceeded to use his e-mail and printed the 12 PDF documents. Took about 20 minutes to finish and cost €8.50. If we hadn't had them printed it was going to be a hassle to get them done at the airport.
Mass at the Barcelona Cathedral was amazing, the whole liturgy was sung, we had five priests, 3 acolytes, 6 altar boys, a magnificent choir and a pipe organ.
We also received communion at the main altar distributed by the celebrating priest.
The mass lasted exactly an hour and we were treated to a Spanish town band and local citizens dancing at the foot of the cathedral steps as we left. The music and dancing was very much Spanish traditional dancing with groups just forming a circle as they started to participate. Any bags from those dancing were put in the middle to keep safe.
From here it was back to the unit to put the boarding passes into safe keeping and to recharge the phones.
Out again we headed to the Mercat markets in La Rambla (Paula wanted some more photos of the wonderful colours but it was closed for Sunday.
Lots of the streets were crowded with protesters supporting the continuation of Catalunya in Spain. Lots of Spanish flags and 'España' being exclaimed very loudly and often. There was also a heavy police presence. It seems the pro Catalunya independence group protest on Saturday and the pro continued unification of Spain group protest on Sunday. At present it is loud, added to by the helicopters flying overhead and police sirens but very civil and peaceful.
Hopefully it is resolved soon but it has added another dimension for us to the excitement and uniqueness of Barcelona.
Once we found the Mercat closed we continued down La Rambla to the marina then along the boardwalk getting a Costa coffee and chocolate croissant along the way. Our wandering then had us along the beach front with a number of great 'sand castles' in production. Lots of people on the beach sand, it was a warm sunny day, but not many actually 'braving' the water.
Not too many topless bathers either.
We continued around past the golden fish sculpture then back towards the Gothic Quarter and a look at Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar.
Here we stopped and shared our last authentic baguette.
Our wandering had us turning what ever corner took our fancy through the bottom part of the Gothic Quarter near 'Bone'. Paula finally decided on the souvenirs she wanted for the grand children and these were purchased. We again met the protesters and detoured around them and back to La Rambla and of all places coming out in Placa Reial.
Up La Rambla we had our last ice cream and checked on the Aerobus process and cost to make our organisation for tomorrow as easy as possible.
Price is €5.90 each and they would prefer the exact amount. Buses to T1 leave every 5 minutes after 6.50am and it is a 35 minute trip.
So if we leave the unit at 7.30am aiming to be on the Aerobus close to 8.00am we will be at T1 with 15 minutes to spare before the Singapore Airline checkin counter opens at 9.00am - 3 hours before our flight is due to leave.
Dinner was organised for an earlier time than the normal 8.00pm or later Spanish time as all of us wanted an early night to pack and be organised to be up around 6.30pm ready to leave the unit by 7.30am. The El Mercat, a restaurant just on the corner opposite our location, was selected and 7.30pm decided as the time to leave.